Some stations on routes to Waterloo were closed this morning and there were more problems caused by a broken-down freight train between Eastleigh and Southampton, while a broken-down train between Leatherhead and Effingham Junction in Surrey blocked lines.

Image copyrightNetwork Rail

Image caption
The first day of the upgrade project saw the platforms being demolished

Image copyrightNetwork Rail

Image caption
The last day saw 10 platforms extended

Network Rail said Waterloo had fully reopened following one of the “largest and most complex” upgrades in the station’s history.

A spokeswoman said a 1,000-strong team of engineers and trackside staff had been working 24 hours a day for the past three-and-a-half weeks to complete the work, which would boost capacity at the station by 30% by December 2018, providing space for another 45,000 passengers at morning and evening peaks.

Becky Lumlock, route managing director at Network Rail, apologised to passengers for the delay and thanked them for their patience.

She said: “The work we have completed in three-and-a-half weeks this August will…